Windrower support assembly



July 10, 1962 E. L. SCHEIDENHELM 3,

WINDROWER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 6, 1960 H INVENTOR.

Ear/ L. Scheidenhelm .3 S Qm mm E. L. SCHEIDENHELM 3,043,076

July 10, 1962 WINDROWER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY Filed June 6, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Ear/ L Scheidenhe/m y 10, 1962 E. SCHElDENHE LM 3,043,076

WINDROWER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY Filed June 6, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 W 01 77 8a 87 7 0 Q0 0 H 5 74 4/ Pa 5 O INVENTOR.

Earl L. Sche/oen/ze/m BY Mow? July 10, 1962 E. 1.. SCHEIDENHELM 3,043,076

WINDROWER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY Filed June 6, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Uited tates 3,043,076 I ROWER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY- Earl L. Scheidenhelm, Mendota, 111., assignor to Horace D. Hume, Mendota, Ill. Filed June 6, 1960, Ser. No. 34,126 3 Claims. (Cl. 56-192) soil or other obstructing material during operation of the.

machine. A third obstacle is the rigidity of most supporting mechanisms which do not allow adjustment of the elevation of individual sides of the cutter bar.

It is a first object of this invention to provide a support -by which the elevation of the reel and cutter bar assembly may be adjusted while maintaining the proper alignment between these components. This adjustment is provided by both temporary and semi-permanent controls so as to allow for initial elevational adjustment as well as for instantaneous adjustment during use in the field.

It is a second object of this invention to combine this adjustable support with a variable counterbalance mechanism so as to insure proper balance of the cantilevered assembly under all conditions.

Another object is to provide a support assembly which will automatically move the cutter bar assembly in an upward and backward direction when an obstruction is encountered in the field. This serves to relieve strain on the assembly and protects the machine from breakage.

Another object is to provide a support assembly which will allow for vertical movement of each end of the cutter bar individually or in concert, the movement being controlled by a single manual lever. This provides a simple, efiective method of lifting the reel temporarily when such lifting is desired during use. The lever is placed at the operators side so as to be operable without afiecting the general operation of the machine.

These and other objects will be evident from the following detailed disclosure which describes a preferred form of windrower utilizing these inventive concepts. The embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the extent of the invention which is set forth in the concluding claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is aside view of the harvesting windrower mounted on a tractor, with a portion of one tire and wheel broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the harvesting windrower;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the harvesting windrower taken from the side opposite to that shown in FIGURE 1, with the cutter bar assembly in a raised position;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view taken substantially along line 55 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing one side of the control mechanism in a raised position; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary top view showing the control mechanism with one side of the cutter bar in a raised position.

The general details of the harvesting windrower are atnt 3,043,076 Patented July 10, 1962 best seen in FIGURES 1, 2 and 4. The machine is adapted to cut and rake crops, depositing them in a narrow path for future processing. It is adapted to be mounted on a conventional frame tractor which is designated as 10. The tractor in operation will travel in its,

fusion, the direction of travel denoted by the arrow beneath FIGURE 1 shall consistently'be referred to herein as the forward direction, and the normal orientation of the tractor shall be ignored.

The windrower is carried by a rigid frame adapted .to

be secured to the mounting brackets of the tractor 10.

This frame consists of a forward transverse member 12,; two mounting brackets 13 fixed to tractor 10 and mem-j ber 12, four longitudinal supports 14, 15, 16, 17 and a forward cross member 18, all of which are rigidly joined to form a fixed supportingfrarnework relative to tractor Mounted at the forward end of each longitudinal support 14 and 17, and extending downward vertically therefrom, are two vertical elements 20. Elements 20 constitute the first components of each parallelogram support. Since each support is a mirror image of the corresponding support on the opposite side of the machine, reference will be made to one side in singular fashion with the stipulation that the same numerals shall designate corresponding parts in both side structures.

The vertical elements 20 are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the respective longitudinal supports 14 and 17. Telescopic adjustable braces 21 extend'between an ear 22 formed on element 20 and aligned sup-. port 14 or 17. Brace 21 fixes the vertical relationship of element 20, but allows for adjustment of this vertical angle when desired by adjustment of nut 23 to lengthen or shorten the brace 21.

Mounted forward of element 20 is a second parallel vertical element 24 which carries the reel 25 and the cutter bar assembly 26. The reel 25 is fully described in US. Patent No. 2,795,921 issued on June 18, 1957, to H. D. Hume for Tine Mountings for Harvester Reel. Reel 25 is supported by a central shaft 27 which is bearingly mounted by adjustable braces 23 and 30 which in turn are adapted to be fixed to element 24.

The cutter bar assembly 26 is composed of a stationary section 31 fixed to the lower end of element 24 and a reciprocating section 32 slidably mounted on section 31. The reciprocating section is controlled by a crank arm 33 pivotally joined thereto and pivotally supported by the walls of section 31. Each side of the machine is also provided with a curved guide 34 which defines the extent of cut taken by the machine. Trailing rearwardly from section 31 are a series of curved fingers 35 which are designed to gather the cut crops into a central windrow. Since the specific details of reel 25, cutter bar assembly 26, guides 34 and and fingers 35 do not constitute a part of this invention, further elaboration will be deleted. 7

The vertical element 24 is provided with upper andlower rear ears 36, 37. j Pivotally joined to ear 37 is a first link 38 which is pivoted at its remaining end to a bottom ear 40 fixed to element 20. Parallel to link 38- and pivoted to ear '36, is a second link 41 which is pivoted to an upper ear 42 formed on element 20. Thus it can be seen that a parallelogram support is provided constituted by the four sides 20, 24, 38 and 41.

coupling 46 to 'a stub shaft 47 rotatably journalled below The.

- 3 the cross member 18. Stub shaft 47 drives a gear box 48 by means of a sprocket and chain assembly 50. The output of gear box 48 is transmitted by means of universal joints 51, 52 and a short shaft 53, to a driving sprocket 54 mounted on the pivotal shaft of ear 42. A chain 55 is entrained around sprocket 54and connects to a sprocket 56 fixed to the pivotal shaft 57 and car 36. An idler sprocket 58 rotatably and adjustably mounted below link 41 serves to take up slack in chain '5.

Also fixed to shaft 57 is a second sprocket which drives a larger sprocket 61 by means of chain 62. Sprocket 61 is journalled on an extension 63 fixed to element 24. Fixed to rotate with sprocket 61 is a smaller sprocket 64 which drives a chain 66 connecting it with a larger sprocket 65 fixed to the central shaft 27 of reel 25. This results in reel being driven .at a decreased rate of rotation.

Shaft 57 also has fixed thereto a driving eccentric and counterweight 67 which pivots a bar 68 pivotally joined to an arm fixed to crank 33. Rotation of shaft 57 is thus converted to reciprocating motion of cutter bar section 32.

It is important to note that the drive for the reel 25 and cutter bar assembly 26 is pivoted about the pivot points of the parallelogram support structure, enabling one to adjust the position of the structure without disturbing the drive connections.

The elevational and counterweight controls for the parallelogram support structure will now be. described.

A first movable support 70 is pivoted at its lower end' to the connection between link 38 and ear 3-7 which is formed'on element '24.' An extension 71 is secured to support 70 and provides for adjustment of the length of the support by means of bolts 72. Extension 71 is pivoted at its upper end to an arm 73, whose, lower end is pivoted to the upper end of element 20.' Mounted in parallel fashion on arm 73, by means of bearings 74, is a threaded shaft 75 capped by a crank arm 76 for manual turning. 'Threadably mounted on shaft 75 is a collat 77 having an ear formed thereon to which is pivoted a first spring mount 78. Secured to spring mount 7 8 are two tension springs 80 which are stretched between mount 78 and a second spring mount '81. Mount 81 is pivotally connected to the longitudinal frame member 14 by means of an adjustable turnbuckle 82.

Springs 80 may be of any numberdesired, and provide the counterbalance force forthe reel 25 and cutter bar assembly 26. 'Ihe'tension on springs 80 may be selectively adjusted by turning crank 76'. In this fashion the weight of the cantilevered assembly may be balanced by springs 80 so that the cutter bar assembly 26 will float? and can rise when an obstruction is encountered.

Coarse adjustment is provided by turnbuckle 82 and by lengthening the combined lengths of support 70 and extension 71. The height of cutter bar 26 above ground is then manuallyiadjusted by use of crank 76, which.

simultaneously varies the spring moment arm and the spring tension in springs 80. V

A manual apparatus for raising the cutter bar apparatus 26 is provided by means of a single lever 83 mounted near the operators position and. pivoted to longitudinal frame member 15 by means of a universal joint 84. Joint 84 allows lever 83 to be pivoted in any direction.

Lever 83 is connected to the stem 85 of a horizontal T to which are pivoted movable links 97 which are pivoted at their lower ends to ears 98 formed on arms 73. Thus it can be seen that pivotal motion of shafts 93, 94 will result in raising or lowering one 'or both arms 73, and consequently, the entire reel 25 and cutter bar assembly The above-described apparatus allows either end of the cutter bar assembly 26 to be raised individually or in concert. If lever 83 is pivoted in a transverse motion only as shown in FIGURE 7, one arm 91 or 92 will remain stationary due to the resistance to downward motion offered by the springs on its side. Thus it will serve as the reaction member for pivotal movement of cross member 88, which will then pivot the remaining shaft 93 or 94 to thereby lift the corresponding side of cutter bar assembly 26.

If lever 83 is moved in a forward 'or rearward direction, direct lifting of both ends of cutter bar assembly 26 will occur by overriding the springs 80. Thus complete control of the elevation of the cantilevered apparatus is always in the hands of the operator.

It is most important to note that the links 38 and 41 in the parallelogram assemblies are directed from element 20 in a forward and upward direction. Thus when an obstruction is encountered during forward movement of the assembly, therearward force exerted on cutter bar assembly 26 will automaticallyv push the cutter bar assembly 26 upward and rearward as the parallelogram folds in response thereto. This provides a necessary safety factor in protecting the cutter blades and is independent of the operators controls.

Thus it can be seen that a practical and highly effective support apparatus has been derived for a harvesting windrower. Since minor mechanical changes are possible without detracting rorn the intended scope of this invention, only the following claims are to define the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A supporting structure for a windrowing apparatus, comprising:

a rigid frame adapted to be fixed to the frame of a vehicle;

a pair of parallelogram assembliesv respectively mounted at each side of the frame at the front end thereof, each of said assemblies including a first element fixed to 'said frame, a second element spaced forwardly from said first element, anda pair of spaced parallel braces each pivotally connected to said first and second elements, said brace-s being extended forwardly and upwardly from their connections with said first element;

counterbalance means operatively connected between said rigid frame and said assemblies;

and manual lifting means mounted on said rigid frame independently connected to said parallelogram assemblies adapted to selectively vary the elevation of 'said second elements relative to said frame individually or in concert.

2. A .windrower supporting structure, comprising:

a rigid frame adapted to be fixedly secured to the frame ofa vehicle;

a pair of vertical supports fixed to the forward end of said frame in transversely spaced locations;

a pair of parallel supporting links located at each side of said frame and pivotally joined to each of said supports at one end thereof, said'links being extended forwardly and upwardly from their respective con- 7 nections to said supports;

a pair of transversely spaced vertical side elements respectively carried by said pairs of links at the forward ends thereof;

and elevational control means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said side elements, including a pair of coaxial transverse shafts terminating respectively at each side of said frame and rotatably mounted thereon, individual cranks arms fixed to the shafts, means operatively connected to said crank arms and to said side elements adapted to elevationally control the side elements responsive to rm tation of said shafts, and a single manually operable lever mounted on said frame and connected to said shafts adapted to selectively pivot each of said shafts about its axis individually or in concert.

3. A windrower supporting structure, comprising:

a rigid frame adapted to be fixedly secured to the frame of a vehicle; I

a pair of vertical suports fixed to the forward end of said frame in transversely spaced locations;

a pair of parallel supporting links located at each side of said frame and joined to each of said supports at one end thereof, said links being extended forwardly and upwardly from their respective connections to said supports;

a pair of transversely spaced vertical side elements respectively carried by said pairs of links at the forward ends thereof;

and elevational control means including a pair of coaxial transverse shafts terminating respectively at each side of said rigid frame and rotatably mounted thereon, a crank arm fixed t0 the side end of each of said shafts and operatively connected to the aligned side member, a pair of upstanding bars fixed respectively to each of said shafts, a manual lever mounted on said rigid frame rearwardly of said shafts, the connection of said lever to said frame constituting a universal joint, and a horizontal T frame having the ends of its cross member respectively pivoted to said upstanding bars and having the end of its stem member pivotally connected to said lever above said universal joint.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sage June 7, 1949 

